Envelope stacking mechanism



Feb. 15, o. P WELSH ENVELOPE STACKING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 29, 1950 United States Patent O ENVELOPE STACKING MECHANISM Grmonde P. Welsh, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Patten Machinery Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a partnership Application December 29, 1950, Serial No. 203,267

11 Claims. (Cl. 271-87) This invention relates to envelope machines, and concerns particularly stacking mechanisms for stacking the finished envelopes upon a delivery table or the like, for removal from the machine.

In envelope machines of the high speed type, one important problem presented is the matter of stacking the completed envelopes, at high speed upon a receiving table for removal from the machine.' It is essential that the stacking mechanism be invariably operable to receive and place the envelope, and that it be rugged and durable in character.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved stacking mechanism for envelope machines.

More specifically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved envelope stacking mechanism, wherein the envelopes are stacked upon a horizontal table for removal from the free end of the stack, and wherein the mechanism is invariably operable, at high speed, to effect a uniform stacking action.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an improved stacking mechanism, of the foregoing type wherein accommodations are automatically made to accommodate minor size variations and movement aberrations in the envelopes received, wherein the size of the stack awaiting removal does not interfere with the proper operation of the parts, and wherein adjustments may readily be made to accommodate envelopes of different size or kind.

A further object of the invention is to provide an envelope stacking mechanism, of the foregoing type, of low reciprocating inertia, and which is more rugged and durable in operation.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. l is an assembly view, in side elevation and section, and somewhat diagrammatic in form, of an envelope stacking mechanism constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the mechanism of Fig. 1, taken as indicated by the line 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the structures of Fig. l, more particularly showing the action of certain of the parts; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are sequential views showing further steps in the operation of the parts illustrated in Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the stacking mechanism may preferably but not necessarily be used with the envelope making machine set forth in m/ companion application Envelope Making Machine, Serial No. 203,101, filed December 28, 1950.

As therein set forth, a conveyor and associated feed roll 12 operate to deliver envelope blanks, complete except for the folding of the seal flap, to a pair of rolls 14 and 16, formed as a pair of suction rolls, viz., provided with suction ports as indicated at 18 and 19. As also more particularly set forth in said companion application, the suction ports are operable respectively to grip the blank bodies 20 and seal llaps 22 in a manner so as to cause the seal flaps to be projected over and then drawn across a folding bar 24, so as to fold the seal aps over onto the bodies of the blanks, and complete the forming of the envelopes. A presser roll 26 op- ICC by which the blanks are positively propelled upwardly to the stacking elements, presently to be described. The guides 28, 3i) are preferably formed as a plurality of lingers, as shown in Fig. 2. The guide fingers are carried respectively by brackets 36 and 38, adjustably mounted 'on shafts 40 and 42, whereby the positioning of the guide lingers 28, 30 may be accurately fixed.

vThe feed rolls 32 and 34 are formed as a plurality of sections so that these rolls may accommodate the guides, a comb-like tucking arm 44, Figs. 1 and 2, and the lower of a pair of receiving arms 46 and 48, both of which are also comb-like in character. A delivery table 45 extends rearwardly from arm 46, the table being provided with laterally adjustable side walls 47 and a friction block 49 for backing up the envelopes as they are received onto the table structure.

The tucking arm 44 has its upper end 50 formed as a plate secured by screws 52 to a rock shaft 54 journalled between a pair of side plates 56 and 58 forming a subframe structure. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the subframe 56-58 is vertically adjustable in respect to the main frame 60 of the machine by means of racks 62 and 64 secured to the subframe side plates, and a manual adjustment shaft 66 journalled in the main frame and provided with gears as indicated at 68 in meshing engagement with the racks, whereby upon adjustment of the shaft 166 tlhe subframe 56-58 may be adjusted to any desired eve The rock shaft 54 is actuated, to impart an oscillating movement to the tucking arm 44, by means of a cam follower arm 70 secured to the shaft, the end of which carries a follower element cooperable with a cam 72 secured to a rotary drive shaft 74, this drive shaft being journalled in the subframe and being driven in the various adjusted positions thereof at the same predetermined speed in relation to the speed of operation of the feed rolls 32-34 and the other operating parts of the machine. It will be seen that as shaft 74 is actuated, cam 72 effects a, timed oscillating movement to the rock shaft 54 and its associated tucking arm 44, for a purpose presently to be described.

In a generally similar manner drive shaft 74 carries a second actuating cam 76 operable upon a follower arm 78 secured to a subframe rock shaft 80, which rock shaft carries the several arms 48 forming the upper receiving arm structure. Upon operation of the cam 76 oscillating motion is imparted to the arm structure 48 in predetermined timed relation with the other operating elements of the machine, as will be understood.

The rock shaft 80 also is provided with a downwardly extending arm or link 82, the lower end of which is provided with a slot receiving a pin 84 secured to an arm or link 86 pinned to a main frame rock shaft 88. This latter rock shaft carries the lower receiving arm struc' ture 46, so that, due to the link connections provided, as the rock shaft 80 is actuated by the cam 76 corresponding oscillating motion is imparted to the rock shaft 88 and the associated lower receiving arm structure.

The action of the stacking mechanism will be best understood by reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Referring to Fig. 3, an envelope 20 is shown in full lines in position between the guide plates 28-30, the folded over seal llap of the envelope being illustrated at 22, as previously described.

As the envelope is projected upwardly by the feed rolls 32-34, to the dotted line position in Fig. 3, the tucking arm structure 44 is withdrawn so that free movement of the envelope is permitted, to a position between the receiving arms 46 and 48.

As the envelope reaches its uppermost projected position, as shown in Fig. 4, the upper and lower receiving arms are momentarily withdrawn or opened, by the pivotal operation of the rock shafts 80 and 88 as previously described, whereby adequate clearance is provided for the reception of the envelope and notwithstanding slight variations or aberrations in the size of the blank or in the path of travel of the blank as the blank reaches receiving position.

Immediately thereafter, as shown in Fig. 5, the tucking arm 44 sweeps counterclockwise so as to project or force the envelope to the right, as seen in Fig. 5, to a position Within the receiving arms, and simultaneously the arms are closed to normal position, whereby the end portions 46a and 48a thereof are brought into position so as to hold the envelope against inadvertent withdrawal between the receiving arms as the tucking arm 44 is restored to its Fig. 3 position.

It will be seen that the stacking mechanism thus provides, in effect, a receiving chamber of variable size, or one which opens to receive the envelope at the precise time of envelope delivery, and thereafter closes to normal position so as to securely hold the envelope against inadvertent withdrawal. As previously mentioned, this adjustability of the receiving chamber accommodates any minor size variations in the blank, or aberrations in the movements thereof into the receiving chamber, without jamming or other diiiiculty. The positively projected tucking arm 44 continuously moves the stack of envelopes to the right as seen in Figs. 35, during operation of the machine, along table 45 and against stop 49, whereby the action upon each received envelope blank is the same, and uniform, regardless of the size of the stack of accumulated envelopes to be removed. The righthand end of the stack is accessible to the operator at all times, for

removal of the envelopes in large or small groups, as may be desired. The mechanism is operable at high speed, to effect a uniform and accurate stacking of the envelopes, the structure is rugged and durable, and has a low reciprocating mass. By adjustment of shaft 66, and suitable lateral adjustment of the table side plates 47, envelopes of different size and kind can be accommodated.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiment set forth without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is accordingly not to be limited to the specific embodiment shown and described, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. An envelope stacking mechanism comprising a pair of substantially parallel guide members forming a receiving chamber for envelopes, means for feeding envelopes between said guide members, and means for reciprocating both of said guide members toward and away from each other in timed relation with the operation of said feeding means.

2. An envelope stacking mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein a tucking member is provided for compressing the envelopes into said receiving chamber, said tucking member being operable in timed relation with the operation of the feeding means.

3. An envelope stacking mechanism comprising a pair of generally horizontal substantially parallel guide members disposed in predetermined spaced relation, said guide members forming a receiving chamber for envelopes, a stacking table forming an extension of the lower guide member, feeding means including a pair of cooperative feed rolls for feeding envelopes into said receiving chamber, and means for shifting both of said guide members relatively toward and away from each other in timed relation with the operation of thekfeeding means.

4. An envelope stacking mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein a tucking member is provided for compressing the envelopes into said receiving chamber, said tucking member being operable in timed relation with the operation of the feeding means.

5. An envelope stacking mechanism comprising a pair of generally horizontal parallel guide members disposed in predetermined spaced relation, said guide members forming a receiving chamber for envelopes, a table forming a substantially coplanar extension of the lower guide member, a pair of rock shafts to which the guide members are respectively secured, means for rocking said shafts in predetermined timed relation, a pivotally mounted tucking member for tucking envelopes into the receiving chamber, a rock shaft to which said tucking member is secured, means for rocking said last named rock shaft in predetermined timed relation with the operation of said first named rock shafts, the path of travel of the tucking member intersecting the paths of travel of the guide members, stop means formed on the ends of the guide members, the spacing between said stop means being less than the size of the envelopes when said guide members are in normal approach position, and a pair of feed rolls for feeding envelopes into said receiving chamber while the guide members and said tucking member are in their retracted positions.

6. An envelope stacking mechanism comprising a pair of substantially parallel guide members forming a receiving chamber for envelopes, means for feeding envelopes between said guide members, said feeding means being positioned below said chamber, and means for reciprocating both of said guide members toward and away from each other in timed relation with the operation of said feeding means. v

7. An envelope stacking mechanism as set forth in claim 6, wherein the feeding means feeds envelopes having aps into the chamber so that the flap enters the chamber rst and is positioned toward the stack of envelopes as it approaches the stack of envelopes.

8. An envelope machine comprising a ap folding mechanism for folding the seal flaps of envelopes onto the envelope bodies, envelope stacking mechanism, and means for feeding envelopes from said ap folding means to said stacking mechanism, said stacking mechanism comprising a pair of substantially parallel guide members forming a receiving chamber for envelopes, said feeding means feeding envelopes between said guide members, and means for reciprocating both of said guide members toward and away from each other in timed relation with the operation of said feeding means.

9. An envelope machine comprising a flap folding mechanism for folding the seal flaps of envelopes onto the envelope bodies, envelope stacking mechanism, said envelope stacking mechanism including a pair of generally horizontal substantially parallel guide members disposed in predetermined spaced relation, said guide members forming a receiving chamber for envelopes, a stacking table forming an extension of the lower guide member, feeding means including a pair of cooperative feed rolls for feeding envelopes from feed ap folding means into said receiving chamber, and means for shifting both of said guide members relatively toward and away from each other in timed relation with the operation of the feeding means.

10. An envelope stacking mechanism comprising a pair of substantially parallel vertically spaced upper and lower guide members forming a reeciving chamber for a stack of envelopes with the said lower guide member forming the sole support for at least a portion of the stacked envelopes in the chamber, means for feeding'envelopes into the chamber formed by said guide members, and means for reciprocating said lower guide member toward and away from said upper guide member in timed relation with the operation of said feeding means to facilitate entry of the envelopes into the chamber.

l1. An envelope stacking mechanism as claimed in claim 10, wherein there is provided a stacking table forming an extension of said lower guide member for storing the remainder of the stacked envelopes.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,063,339 Duncan June 3, 1913 1,23 8,207 Sigafoos Aug. 28, 1917 1,603,294 Reiser Oct. 19, 1926 1,991,411 Novick Feb. 19, 1935 2,232,721 Novick Feb. 25, 1941 2,307,907 Becker Jan. 12, 1943 

